PHUKET: Plans for a lifeguard training centre on Phuket have fallen into limbo because of confusion over who would take ownership.
The money for the centre - initial funding of A$6000 from the Australia-Thailand Institute and A$1000 in donations - is ready.
But it's unclear whether the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, which currently pays Phuket's lifeguards, or the national government would own the centre.
Until the issue is clarified, the proposed site for the centre - an open-air sala rotunda on the foreshore at the southern beach of Nai Harn - remains unused and is falling into decay.
Frustration at the delay in resolving ownership is growing among officials in the Phuket Lifeguard Club who fear the money for the project will be put to good use somewhere else if a decision is not made soon.
For its part, the administrative organisation is still awaiting an answer on ownership from the national government, which has responsibility for the parkland behind Nai Harn beach.
Other groups - including Phuket Public Health and the Phuket Marine Biological Centre - have noted that the fully-designed centre would be ideal for educating communities from Phuket and other Andaman provinces about marine life and all aspects of water safety.
But there has been no progress since the Australian Embassy's Deputy Head of Mission, Simon Farbenbloom, joined other VIPs in looking at the designs for the project at the site in September.
Training of Phuket's lifeguards has improved greatly from the days when residents were sure to find west coast beach guards asleep in towers.
The centre would help Phuket lifeguards to more quickly achieve the standards of lifesavers in Australia and the US.
But for the time being, both the Phuket beach centre property and the dreams for a better lifeguard service are falling apart.
The money for the centre - initial funding of A$6000 from the Australia-Thailand Institute and A$1000 in donations - is ready.
But it's unclear whether the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, which currently pays Phuket's lifeguards, or the national government would own the centre.
Until the issue is clarified, the proposed site for the centre - an open-air sala rotunda on the foreshore at the southern beach of Nai Harn - remains unused and is falling into decay.
Frustration at the delay in resolving ownership is growing among officials in the Phuket Lifeguard Club who fear the money for the project will be put to good use somewhere else if a decision is not made soon.
For its part, the administrative organisation is still awaiting an answer on ownership from the national government, which has responsibility for the parkland behind Nai Harn beach.
Other groups - including Phuket Public Health and the Phuket Marine Biological Centre - have noted that the fully-designed centre would be ideal for educating communities from Phuket and other Andaman provinces about marine life and all aspects of water safety.
But there has been no progress since the Australian Embassy's Deputy Head of Mission, Simon Farbenbloom, joined other VIPs in looking at the designs for the project at the site in September.
Training of Phuket's lifeguards has improved greatly from the days when residents were sure to find west coast beach guards asleep in towers.
The centre would help Phuket lifeguards to more quickly achieve the standards of lifesavers in Australia and the US.
But for the time being, both the Phuket beach centre property and the dreams for a better lifeguard service are falling apart.
What is the problem!!!!
Why does every decision here have to take so long, will someone please stand up, say and do something, or will this take, like so many other agenda items, the need for a study to be carried out first
Posted by Mick on December 21, 2011 13:21